Electrical Problem Need Help

[nelson007]

Hello All,
Took my ZR1 out yesterday to run some errands. Here’s what happened. First the radio started cutting out, I knew I wasn’t out of range because the radio towers are local. Than I noticed the BRIGHT LIGHT SYMBOL stared coming on and off the same time I lost the radio. I also noticed when I put my turn signal on the BRIGHT LIGHT SYMBOL also comes on. It cane on left and right. At one time after stopping at Stop Sign, when I started to go every thing went dead, although it did start back up immediately. The ‘ABS’ light also came on a couple of times.
I think it might be something shorting out in the steering column. I think I will start there, and suggestions would be appreciated, this is my first ZR1.
By the way last Friday I had left my parking lights on and the battery was dead on Saturday. It charged up and all was well.
Thanks

Nelson
1993 Ruby
WAZOO

[DaveK]

It could be a battery issue. With modern batteries if they go completely flat they never come back fully in my experience.

From what I know it's something to do with the way the batteries are constructed. They're designed to give a very flat (constant) output so they work nicely with the computers but this makes them vulnerable to the effect I mention above.

Dave

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Originally Posted by DaveK

It could be a battery issue. With modern batteries if they go completely flat they never come back fully in my experience.

From what I know it's something to do with the way the batteries are constructed. They're designed to give a very flat (constant) output so they work nicely with the computers but this makes them vulnerable to the effect I mention above.

Dave

I agree with Dave.

I'm sure an "expert" will chime in any minute though..............

[nelson007]

Do you think by allowing my battery to go dead could of caused the break down of the battery? When installing a new battery do I have to worry about programming anything? I forgot to mention I do have Marc's chip in the car.
By the way the car did start up like it always does very fast. I was reading 14.4 volts on the gauge. I will check and see how old the battery is, I just bought the car a couple of months ago.
Thanks,
Nelson007

WAZOO

[mike100]

I finally had the SYS message flashing 3-times issue when I left my doors open, and other circuits live-also during the first really cool night here where I live. Battery was low enough that I had to drive it 10 minutes before it charged itself to a high enough voltage and had reserve to prevent the load dips.

when random circuits light up, halfway light up etc, it is often an open circuit on the ground side and maybe some current trying to find a path to ground through other circuits/lamps.

[scottfab]

A good place to start is the simplest.
Check the battery connectors. Grab the two large gauge wires
and try to turn them on the post bolt. They should be very hard to
turn. Tighten as needed.

Second do a battery load test. Batteries have not changed much it's the
requirements of the cars that have. However, these batteries are not
"deep cycle" batteries so doing a complete drain on them is really hard on them. A new battery (actually new not just new off the self after sitting for months) will take three or so complete drains before they have lost enough capacity as to be useless in a Z.
Most auto stores will do a free load test. This test puts a heavy load on the battery for 10sec or so and looks at how low the voltage goes. The higher the amp hour rating the longer the voltage will stay up.

Lastly if the first two are ruled out. Start looking at grounds. First
the battery ground then the ones at the rear of the motor at the top of where the tranny mounts.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by nelson007

Hello All,
Took my ZR1 out yesterday to run some errands. Here’s what happened. First the radio started cutting out, I knew I wasn’t out of range because the radio towers are local. Than I noticed the BRIGHT LIGHT SYMBOL stared coming on and off the same time I lost the radio. I also noticed when I put my turn signal on the BRIGHT LIGHT SYMBOL also comes on. It cane on left and right. At one time after stopping at Stop Sign, when I started to go every thing went dead, although it did start back up immediately. The ‘ABS’ light also came on a couple of times.
I think it might be something shorting out in the steering column. I think I will start there, and suggestions would be appreciated, this is my first ZR1.
By the way last Friday I had left my parking lights on and the battery was dead on Saturday. It charged up and all was well.
Thanks

Nelson
1993 Ruby
WAZOO

Assuming 14.4 volts (on the "gauge") tells me the alternator is charging. So, I think we can delete concerns for the charging system.

The fact that all these things are occuring when voltage (you say) was at 14.4VDC (engine running), is a classic ground-related issue (as others have suggested). There are a couple of ground locations that affect multiple, otherwise un-related circuits (which does sound like what you're having). Both of these are the on either side of top center at the periphery of the clutch bell housing. Each ground connection has several circuit ground lugs attached. I'd want to know those connections were clean and properly torqued down before proceeding.

Note: You might be able to assess whether either of those bolt locations are tight w/o pulling the drive shaft and lowering the transmission tail far enough to see those grounds and accessing them. Good luck on that. Otherwise removing the C-beam and pulling the drive shaft might be necessary to access and service those bolts. Others may differ, but I've got fat fingers and so....

P.

[WARP TEN]

Originally Posted by scottfab

A good place to start is the simplest.
Check the battery connectors. Grab the two large gauge wires
and try to turn them on the post bolt. They should be very hard to
turn. Tighten as needed.

Second do a battery load test. Batteries have not changed much it's the
requirements of the cars that have. However, these batteries are not
"deep cycle" batteries so doing a complete drain on them is really hard on them. A new battery (actually new not just new off the self after sitting for months) will take three or so complete drains before they have lost enough capacity as to be useless in a Z.
Most auto stores will do a free load test. This test puts a heavy load on the battery for 10sec or so and looks at how low the voltage goes. The higher the amp hour rating the longer the voltage will stay up.

Lastly if the first two are ruled out. Start looking at grounds. First
the battery ground then the ones at the rear of the motor at the top of where the tranny mounts.

Scott's advice is all sound (as usual). Here also is a link to Marc Haibeck's website regarding battery care: http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...ery%20care.htm --Bob

[nelson007]

Thank All for all your help.
Paul can I reach up reach up and feel these cables next to the bell housing? I will put on the lift tomorrow and start cleaning all the cables I can get to.
Does anyone think it would be something loose in the steering column?

Thanks,
Nelson007

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by nelson007

....snip..
Does anyone think it would be something loose in the steering column?

Thanks,
Nelson007

I can't imagine how. If there were a short you'd be looking at a blown fuse.
With the plenum off you can get at the two grounding bolts. I wouldn't start there though without ruling out the other easy to get at areas.